[Kenwood] IF-232C Interface

[Rick Bullon]

----Original Message Follows----
From: "Eric Dobrowansky" <kk2ed at comcast.net>
Reply-To: Eric Dobrowansky <kk2ed at comcast.net>
To: "Conrad & Kathi Nasatka" <konco at comcast.net>
CC: kenwood at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Kenwood] IF-232C Interface
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 22:48:28 -0500

Conrad,

I'll try to answer your original question:

The confusion you are having is due to the poor numbering scheme Kenwood 
used for a few similar parts.

First off, the IF-232C is what you want. When new, the box included the 
following:
1. The actual IF-232C RS232 to TTL level adapter (the small black box) which 
has a rocker switch and a red LED on the front, and a 6-pin DIN, DB25 RS232 
male, and 2.5mm barrel power socket on the rear.   connector
2. A 3ft 6-pin DIN to 6-pin DIN cable to connect the IF-232C to a host of 
Kenwood radios, a few examples are the TS-430, 440, 450, 690, 850, 
950S/D/DX, etc  you get the point...(any with the 6-pin "REMOTE" jack.
3. A dc power cord
4. A manual (which is almost useless, which is why no one can answer your 
questions from it!)

Here comes the confusion: Some of the earlier and first "pc-controllable" 
radios, while having the actual 6-pin "REMOTE" jack in the rear of the 
radio, DID NOT have the necessary interfacing components to allow TTL 
communications with the radio's CPU.  Kenwood offered "optional" kits, which 
when installed in said radio(s), would provide the necessary connectivity 
between the CPU and rear DIN jack.  Radios of this example included the 
TS-440S, 940S, 711A, and 811A.  One or more, such as the TS-440S, also 
required the installer to plug in two or so ICs into the logic board of the 
transceiver. Kenwood, in their infinite wisdom, labeled these "optional 
kits" IF-232A and IF-232B, as well as a few others, but it's been 10 or more 
years, so without the manuals in front of me, don't quote me on the exact 
kit vs. radio. However, the interface box IS indeed labeled IF-232C.
=============================================================


The kits that went into the rigs  were IF 10A 10B and 10C. These are the 
really hard parts to find but Piexx (sp) has  replacement boards for these 
rigs.

BTW if anyone needs the 2 ic chips for the TS-440 I have a set I don't need 
(just have to remember where I put them)

73
Rick
kc5ajx

=============================================================
Fortunately, the later radios, such as your TS-950SDX, just require you to 
simply plug in the 6-pin DIN cable between the radio and IF-232C interface 
box, and use a standard PC straight-thru DB25 cable from the IF-232C box to 
your PC  (9pin to 25pin modem cable if your PC only has a DB9 serial port).

I hope this puts you at ease and answers your question(s).

73,
Eric
KE2D
(ex kk2ed)


----- Original Message ----- From: "Conrad & Kathi Nasatka" 
<konco at comcast.net>
To: <Kenwood at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 3:39 PM
Subject: [Kenwood] IF-232C Interface


Some Help Please?
I have a Kenwood TS-950SDX.  I also have a DELL computer.  I would like to 
match the two as provided for in the operating manual.  I have talked to 
guys selling their IF-232C's on this wonderful net and when I try to buy 
one, either no one has a manual or the manual doesn't specify if it is for 
what kind of Kenwood radio.  I didn't know they were made for different 
Kenwood model numbers.  I am at a loss, as I have ran into the same problem 
on E-bay.  Trying to buy a part that is out of production and not being sold 
new anywhere, causes a problem. Who has the where-with-all to advise us in 
these matters.  I would appreciate it very much if someone in the know would 
step forward and see if you can clear the mud away from this subject. I will 
be forever grateful for any help you can be.  If you need any more 
information, let me know.  In the Kenwood operations manual it refers one to 
the IF-232C manual for information.  When I speak to someone that has a 
IF-232C manual, they say the information isn't there.  There is a new one on 
E-bay right now but I hesitate to buy it for fear of buying the wrong thing. 
Time is of the essence,  I would appreciate your help.
Thanks to all those friends that sent me ads of people selling IF-232C's.
Regards
73
Conrad
WV3DQD